Teen sentenced for role in Willmar murder

A 16-year-old boy was sentenced Monday for his role in the robbery and killing of a 79-year-old Willmar woman in her home.

The youngest of three teenage defendants charged in the murder, Devon James Jenkins was ordered to complete a correctional program at Prairie Lakes Youth Programs, log 100 hours of community service annually and serve probation until age 21, according to court records.

Jenkins was accused of driving the alleged killer, Brok Junkermeier, 19, to Lila Warwick's home in July and remaining in the car as a lookout. In December, Jenkins pleaded guilty in Kandiyohi County District Court to unintentional second-degree murder.

Prosecutors allege that Warwick's grandson, Robert Warwick, now 18, hatched the plan that led to Junkermeier’s attack, giving the other teens information about his grandmother’s house and habits. Junkermeier allegedly slashed Lila Warwick’s hand with a sword-like knife and forced her to write him a check for $1,500 before choking and stabbing her to death, according to charges filed in August.

As part of the juvenile sentencing, Jenkins' adult sentence of 15 years was stayed. But it could be enacted if he violates the terms of his probation, which include remaining law-abiding.

Jenkins told the court that he has been in chemical dependency treatment since October and admitted that he was using marijuana on the night of the murder. He outlined that he wants to complete the youth program, get his high school diploma, work with his dad in the drywall business and go to Ridgewater College to get his general classes.

He also apologized, choking up with tears in his eyes when he addressed the Warwick family. “I go to bed every night thinking about the awful things I did,” he said. “I couldn’t imagine my life without my mother.”